Joris Van de Moortel - HELL ON EARTH, in search of PUR, NUR and FUR

Modern alchemist Joris Van de Moortel pushes the boundaries of his spectrum with a new solo exhibition. The journey of discovery that is 'HELL ON EARTH, in search of Pur, Nur and Fur' unfolds at S.M.A.K. from 5 October 2024 to 2 March 2025, the latest stop of the pilgrimage that began in De Warande.

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Joris Van de Moortel (b. 1983, Oostakker-Lourdes; lives and works in Hoboken) has been building his multidisciplinary oeuvre, which transcends borders and defies conventions, for more than 15 years. His studio is akin to a laboratory of the imagination, where he experiments with materials and ideas like a modern alchemist. While traditional alchemists seek eternal life and gold, Van de Moortel seems to be striving for a different kind of treasure: a path through the chaos of a rapidly changing world. At the same time, he remains true to the essence of art, knowledge and imagination.

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His musical performances, sculptures and paintings, not to mention his films and tarot cards, contain an abundance of puzzles, puns and art-historical references. A deep-seated creative urge characterises his visual language. For Van de Moortel, this chaotic aesthetic is essential for a critical discussion of the complex relationships between nature, culture, art, religion and contemporary society.